Internal Clearance

Internal clearanceInternal clearance is the play between outer ring, inner ring and rolling element. Generally, the amount of up and down movement of the outer ring with respect to the fixed inner ring is called the radial internal clearance and its right and left movement the axial internal clearance. Bearing internal clearance in operation is an important factor that has a significant influence on other factors such as noise, vibration, heat and fatigue life. Radial ball bearings are usually classified by their internal radial clearance. When measuring the internal clearance, the bearing is subjected to a standard load in order to ensure full contact between all bearing components. Under such a load, the measured value is larger than the actual value stated for radial clearance; this is due to elastic deformation. The differance is compensated by the factors given in the tables below.

RADIAL INTERNAL CLEARANCE OF SMALL AND MINIATURE BEARINGS

Unitμm
CLEARANCE MARK MC1 MC2 MC3 MC4 MC5 MC6
CLEARANCE max 0 3 5 8 13 20
min 5 8 10 13 20 28

NOTE:

  1. STANDARD CLEARANCE IS MC3.
  2. FOR MEASURING CLEARANCE, OFFSET BY COMPENSATION FACTOR LISTED BELOW.
Unitμm
CLEARANCE MARK MC1 MC2 MC3 MC4 MC5 MC6
COMPENSATION FACTOR 1 1 1 1 2 2

MEASURING LOAD IS AS FOLLOWS.
MINIATURE BEARINGS 2.5N (0.25kgf)
SMALL BEARINGS 4.4N (0.45kgf)

RADIAL INTERNAL CLEARANCE OF STANDARD RADIAL BALL BEARINGS

Unitμm
NOMINAL BORE
DIAMETER
d(mm)		 CLEARANCE
C2 C0 C3 C4 C5
OVER INCL. MIN MAX MIN MAX MIN MAX MIN MAX MIN MAX
10 (ONLY)   0 7 2 13 8 23 14 29 20 37
10 18 0 9 3 18 11 25 18 33 25 45
18 24 0 10 5 20 13 28 20 36 28 48
 
24 30 1 11 5 20 13 28 23 41 30 53
30 40 1 11 6 20 15 33 28 46 40 64
40 50 1 11 6 23 18 36 30 51 45 73

NOTE: 1.FOR MEASURING CLEARANCE, OFFSET BY COMPENSATION FACTOR LISTED BELOW.

Unitμm
BORE DIAMETER OF NOMINAL BEARING d(mm) MEASURING LOAD COMPENSATION FACTOR
OVER INCL. N(kgf) C2 C0 C3 C4 C5
10 (INCLUDED) 18 24.5 (2.6) 3~4 4 4 4 4
18 50 49 (5) 4~5 5 6 6 6

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN RADIAL INTERNAL CLEARANCE AND AXIAL INTERNAL CLEARANCE

The axial internal clearance is established from the ball diameter, outer and inner ring raceway radius and the radial internal clearance. Usually it is about 10 times the value of the internal radial clearance. Selection of a small internal radial clearance or an extra large interference fit in order to reduce the internal axial clearance after mounting is not recommended.
radial clearance or an extra large interference

SELECTION OF BEARING CLEARANCE

Theoretically, maximum bearing life is with very slight preload. However, even a slight increase in this theoretical preload can have a considerably detrimental effect on the bearing life. Positive clearance should therefore be selected. MC3 is usually used for miniature or small bearings, standard clearance for general bearings and the clearance for thin section bearings should never be greater than “standard”.

SELECTION OF RADIAL INTERNAL CLEARANCE

Operating Condition Clearance
Clearance fit for inner and outer ring. Low axial load. No axial load carrying requirement.
Select bearing witd reduced radial clearance. Lower vibration and noise. Low speeds.
MC1,MC2,C2
Lower frictional torque. Standard axial load. Average axial load carrying requirements.
Slight interference fit for inner ring. Clearance fit for outer ring. Average/low speeds.		 MC3,MC4,CN(C0)
Extremely low frictional torque. High axial load. High axial load carrying requirements.
Heavy interfence fit to support high loads or shock loads. Large temperature gradient from inner ring to outer ring. High degree of shaft deflection.		 MC5,MC6,C3,C4,C5

CALCULATION OF CLEARANCE

Calculation of Clearance

  1. RUNNING CLEARANCE
    Running clearance is the resultant clearance after load, temperature difference and fitting are taken into consideration.
    Running clearance
  2. CLEARANCE REDUCTION BY TEMPERATURE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN INNER AND OUTER RING
    In a bearing, the highest temperature is generated in the rolling element followed by the inner ring, with the outer ring having the lowest temperature. Since it is impossible to measure the temperature of a rolling element, in practice, the temperature of the inner ring is used.Clearance Reduction
  3. CLEARANCE REDUCTION BY FITTING
    When a bearing is fitted onto a shaft or into a housing with an interference fit, the internal clearance of the bearing reduces.Clearance Reduction
  4. CLEARANCE INCREASE BY LOAD
    Load on a bearing deforms it elastically and increases the internal clearance.
    Clearance Increase by Load

SYMBOLS

Symbols